In the summertime
- 3 Aug 07, 03:32 PM
We're all going on a summer holiday...
Well I'm not. But things have slowed down at Westminster today. The streets around Parliament are extremely quiet - more or less blocked off due to construction work.
But even if they weren't, today, nearly the only people about would be tourists spending their holidays here, while the politicians spend theirs elsewhere.
The PM has taken the hint, and is starting his family holiday today, in the Dorset countryside. After that, as promised he'll spend some time later in the summer in Scotland, staying at the family home in North Queensferry by the Firth of Forth.
Compared to jetting off to the homes of popstars like his predecessor Mr Brown's holiday plans seem rather frugal. And there'll be no visit this year to his previous holiday favourite of Cape Cod on the east coast of the US.
We're told by Downing Street that he means the deputy-less prime minister will still be in charge although he's on holiday, because he's staying in this country.
David Cameron is still working, the focus on looking in charge of his party, promising today a 'bare knuckle fight' with the government over . But next week he'll be heading off for France, on what we're told is a bucket and spade holiday in Brittany, in rented accommodation with friends and family.
Ming Campbell is ahead in the holiday stakes - he's already had a few days on the island of Tiree off the west coast of Scotland. He's now en route to the south of France for five or six days. I wonder if he got the train? His party's released this morning would certainly recommend that.
Compared to the attention Tony Blair's holidays used to attract the three leaders' this year are pretty low key.
But some politicians are still around and for the many of you who posted your own interesting, and wildly differing thoughts on the EU treaty, I predict more rumblings on that early next week.
